January 26, 2026 – I started writing this post before the latest ICE murder in Minneapolis. I was taking a break from tragedy. I paused my reading of Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse & Fighting for Justice by Jeffrey Epstein’s victim Virginia Robers Guiuffre. It was too brutal to read straight through.

The following song came into my head:

What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

Thank god for music.

Yes, we are meant to be kind. The Jeffrey Epsteins and Elon Musks of the world say no. But they both clearly had something they perceived to be missing from their lives that no amount of money—or sex—or domination—could fill.

Because that’s not how humans are made. We are made to need—and to help—our families, friends, and neighbors. Those who don’t are the abberation. They are the evil in the world.

Last night I went out for dinner with friends. All evening, the phone in my pocket was vibrating. It was driving me crazy. What was it? Our neighborhood ICE Watch group was trying to find a way to give comfort to those in pain over the shooting in Minneapolis—and to stand up against those who want to perpetuate the pain.

This is what brings me hope during these dark days: neighbors helping neighbors.

And I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love that you missed you're nothing, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, Alfie
Alfie

(Alfie was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.)

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